Fraiche

11 Rose Mount,
OXTON,
Birkenhead,
CH43 5SG

Chef-patron Marc Wilkinson's idiosyncratic Wirral restaurant in the leafy conservation village of Oxton is a congenial home for his tireless researches and discoveries. With just five tables (and a chef's table in a glass room), he can give full rein to his extraordinary culinary creativity. Every detail is thought through, from the understated decor of the room itself to the sculptures, artworks, soundtrack and images projected onto the walls. Well-drilled, attentive and knowledgeable staff brief you on the intricacies of the six-courses - menu descriptions are minimal. Classical French foundations underpin ingredients and techniques, although produce is often transmuted into visually beguiling presentations involving the alchemy of dusts, powders, gels and foams. Small-but-perfectly-formed appetisers pave the way for the meal proper, which might kick off by matching almond gazpacho with cherry and asparagus. Main courses bring scallops partnered with smoked lime butter and wild rice, while charcoal-grilled rib-eye of beef is boosted by textures of salsify and celeriac. Sweet courses bring a final flourish of techno wizardry displayed in ideas including lemongrass pannacotta with sour cherry foam, fizzy grapes with mint, lemon sponge filled with lemon curd, sorrel and candied lemon zest, and an enigmatic ending described simply as 'salt or sugar'. Lunch is a shorter four-course affair, but no less arresting in its creativity, perhaps built around monkfish cheeks with olives and orange, before pork belly with sherry-poached salsify and rocket. There's a 300-bin list, and you might as well go for broke and fork out for wine flights since huge effort goes into pairing unusual, revelatory choices to each dish.

Further information

Open/closed

Restaurant information

Cooking type: Modern French, European
Chef: Marc Wilkinson
Number of seats: 12Accessible for wheelchairs.
Steps for wheelchair: 1
Disabled toilets.Vegetarian meals available.Children's portions.
No children under 8 yrs.

Restaurant price guide

Prices are for guidance only. Please check when booking for current rates.